Free Raven by Abra Ebner

retorted.
    He gave me a half smile. “Why does everyone keep reminding me of this? Whatever. ”
    I rolled my eyes at him.
    “ Well, is there anything we can do to stop it?” Margriete finally spoke.
    Sam raised one eyebrow, looking up at us.
    “ There is, isn’t there?” I put both hands on the rail, leaning toward him with hope. “Why else would you know unless there is? Why else would you act so relaxed about the whole thing?”
    “ Touché. ” Sam pointed directly at me, winking one eye.
    “ What?” I demanded. “There is?” I hadn’t really expected him to give it up so freely.
    It was then that I heard heavy footsteps descending the stairs in the hall and we all froze. Sam turned and watched Edgar step with elegance and power, then turned back to me where he brought his finger to his lips, telling me to keep quiet on the subject—but why? What was Edgar hiding? Why was he doing this to me? Edgar placed one foot on the black granite of the entry, noticing us as we all stared at him with blank eyes.
    He glared at Sam, and Sam shrugged. Edgar then looked at me. “What?” he asked, feeling the blame we all had put on him.
    I steeled my spine, swallowing my hatred for him and hoping he couldn’t read my mind as Sam could. I quickly tried to stash away every thought, just in case. “Nothing.” I forced a smile, not knowing whether he was the enemy in this situation or an ally.
    Edger looked us all in the eye, one by one, before slowly nodding and pointing toward the kitchen. “Just going to get Henry a snack.” Henry popped his head around the corner where he stood on the floor, letting out a loud shriek, causing us all to cringe and cover our ears. Edgar looked at Henry. “What he said.” He then turned on his heel, and marched into the kitchen.
    We all exhaled simultaneously.
    Do I need to fear him? I thought, hoping Sam was listening.
    Sam shook his head.
    Can he hear my thoughts like you can? He was looking back and forth at both Margriete and I.
    “ No—to both of you,” he spoke. “You two are a lot alike, you know that?”
    Margriete and I looked at each other and giggled, but it quickly faded as the mood fell somber.
    So the world really is dying? I looked back at Sam.
    He nodded. “But don’t worry. In due time, you will get your answers. There are things we can do to stop it.”
    I pouted. “Like what?” My voice was loud, and both Sam and Margriete hushed me, both looking toward the kitchen through the small window in the wall of the library that looked into the sitting room adjacent.
    “ Right now isn’t the time, okay?” Sam put one hand up to silence me, pressing the point.
    I gave up, settling for the vague answers and looking out the window toward the field and trees, now seeing their sadness and their death. Margriete grabbed my arm and pulled my attention away from them, smiling.
    “ It doesn’t seem there is anything we can do right now, Elly. Sam made it seem like the answers will come soon enough. There’s no point in worrying about the things we can’t control.”
    I exhaled. “I know, Margriete. But aren’t you scared? We’re dying—all of us.”
    Margriete gave me a sarcastic face. “Elle, really. You’re overreacting.”
    “ Why shouldn’t I? We should all be overreacting!” I hissed.
    Margriete nodded slowly. “I’ll try to ask Sam more later on. Perhaps he’ll tell me.” She seemed doubtful of her statement.
    “ Are you and Sam alright?” I had to ask.
    Margriete looked shocked by my question. “Yeah! Why?” Now she was the one overreacting.
    I looked in the direction of the kitchen, dropping it. “Do you think I should ask Edgar?”
    Margriete shrugged. “It’s worth a try, but be careful. You know their temper.” She seemed bitter when she said it, leaving me with bits and pieces about their relationship that I could put together on my own. “And besides, Sam didn’t say anything in front of Edgar for a reason, so… I don’t figure